The host Gators (6-8) overcame a slow start to score a 50-44 victory over Spanish Springs in the diamond division quarterfinals. They’ll play Dimond (Alaska) on Saturday morning in the tournament semifinals.

The championship game is Saturday at 5 p.m.

“It’s cool to be (in the top bracket),” White said. “But its five times cooler when you win. … They know what it means to really fight for a win. Here at home in their tournament, we want to prove that we’re a good team and that we’re better than last year. We’re stepping up and doing that now.”

The Gators struggled to find their flow in the first half against Spanish Springs’ 2-3 zone defense. But a spirited defensive effort in the third quarter helped Green Valley unlock its transition offense and build a double-digit lead.

Julia Clark posted a game-high 16 points and seven rebounds for the Gators, and Michelle Lagunas-Monroy had 10 points. Green Valley’s Rian Anderson came off the bench to grab a game-high 12 rebounds.

“It took us a while earlier in the game to be able to run things the right way,” White said. “Finally at halftime and toward the end of the third, that’s when they started communicating. We really executed well.”

Spring Valley 58, McFarland (Calif.) 34 — Rory Carter scored a game-high 14 points to help the Grizzlies knock off the Cougars in the diamond division.

Alexus Quaadman added eight points for Spring Valley, which led 31-20 at the half.

Julie Hernandez had 11 points for MacFarland.

West Anchorage (Alaska) 64, Moapa Valley 41 — Azaria Robinson had a game-high 23 points to help the Eagles knock off the Pirates in the gold division.